Fearless Maverick (18 page)

 
          
She
glanced around. Alex’s presence radiated out even in this casual crowd, same
way his charisma had turned heads in that Malaysian restaurant. An animated
group by that picnic table had certainly picked up on who he was. It seemed,
now that his shoulder was on its way to full recovery, he was no longer
reticent about getting out and being seen. He didn’t seem perturbed by that
crowd’s attention. Wherever he went, he’d be noticed. Which meant, if she were
with him, she’d be noticed too.

 
          
Two
things wrong with that.

 
          
Firstly,
she didn’t think it wise to make a habit of parading around with Alex as if
they were romantically involved, which, she guessed, they were. Even here, in
relatively relaxed Manly, people had phones with cameras and video capabilities
and weren’t afraid to use them. Maybe Alex accepted those kinds of intrusions
into his private world but she was no longer a celebrity and didn’t miss the
spotlight. She didn’t need her life, present or past, speculated upon in
magazines or the internet.

 
          
He
wanted to whisk her away?

 
          
While
her teeth rolled over her bottom lip, he raised a brow.

 
          
‘I
see you’re not racing home to pack a bag.’

 
          
‘Alex,
what if you’re recognised?’ She rephrased. ‘Make that, what happens
when
you’re recognised?’

 
          
‘And
someone snaps our picture for some celebrity magazine?’ He leaned forward and
stage whispered. ‘We’ll survive.’

 
          
He’d
survive. But, ‘You can understand
that the perception that I’m involved with a high-profile client could damage
my career.’

 
          
‘We
could wear dark glasses and Hungarian moustaches?’

 
          
He
chuckled and, despite it all, she smiled too. Was she overreacting? Like she
had when she’d thought he wouldn’t be interested if he found out about her leg?

 
          
‘Look,’
he said more levelly, ‘if you rather not, we’ll stay in. I understand you want
to shield yourself.’

 
          
She
sighed. Now she felt bad.

 
          
What
was so wrong with being the girl who’d experienced an incredible night and
couldn’t deny herself more? Life could be uncertain, but there didn’t have to
be a shark lurking behind every shadow. She’d felt so safe with Alex these past
few hours. Where was the crime in wanting to prolong that?

 
          
She
made a decision. Stood up tall.

 
          
‘No.
I want to go.’

 
          
He
gauged her expression. ‘You’re certain?’

 
          
Libby
held her breath. Her head told her not to go but her heart was saying loud and
clear,
What’s the worst that can happen?

 
          
The
sun came out at the same time she smiled broadly and announced, ‘Commander, lead
the way.’

 
          
Eli
was sitting on the forecourt steps when Alex arrived home an hour later. Alex
bet the magazine his assistant held was the same edition the picnic table crowd
had been ogling earlier. Obviously it contained a shot of him. A file shot speculating
on his comeback? Or had he somehow been snapped in Sydney these past weeks?

 
          
As
Alex swung out of the limo and the driver headed off, Eli pushed to his feet.
Alex’s step slowed on his way up the steps. His friend’s expression was closed.
Not a good sign.

 
          
Eli
offered the magazine, folded to a celebrity page. ‘No prizes for guessing where
you spent the night.’

 
          
Alex
zoomed in on a picture; a chill sped up his spine and he swore.

 
          
Eli
scratched his temple. ‘I, er, take it you weren’t aware this was out?’

 
          
‘I
… had some idea.’

 
          
Alex
let them inside and headed toward the office, that photograph imprinted at the
forefront of his mind—he and Libby standing outside her apartment building,
embracing. Kissing.

 
          
‘Her
face is hidden,’ Eli said, following Alex down the hall. ‘And her name isn’t
listed, but people will want to know who your new love interest is. What’ll I
say when the phone starts ringing?’

 
          
‘No
comment.’

 
          
‘They’ll
find out one way or another. Could be better coming from us.’

 
          
Alex
swept into his office, fell into the chair behind his desk and came clean.

 
          
‘I
asked Libby to come away with me this weekend.’

 
          
Eli’s
brows jumped, then he slid his hands into his trouser pockets. ‘Somewhere
secluded?’

 
          
‘I
was thinking the Gold Coast.’

 
          
When
Libby had brought up her concerns over how she might be perceived should the
press spot them together, he’d acquiesced. Speculations about sleeping with a
high-profile client … He understood Libby wanted to look out for her
reputation. But he was pleased she’d decided to go with her heart and had
agreed to a quick trip away. After this, however …

 
          
Eli
sauntered forward. ‘I might be wrong but when I spoke with Libby Henderson she
didn’t seem the type to want back in the limelight. In fact, she seemed reserved.
Private.’

 
          
‘Anyone
knows if you work with celebrities some of the shine is bound to rub off.’

 
          
‘She’s
doing more than
working
with you.’

 
          
Alex’s
gaze snapped up from his hands, clasped on the desk. ‘She’s over twenty-one.’

 
          
Eli’s
nostrils flared, then he held up his hands. ‘You’re right. It’s none of my
business.’

 
          
Alex
scooted the chair over to his laptop.

 
          
Eli
was dead on. It wasn’t his business.

 
          
After
tapping a few keys, images of a cosmopolitan skyline, bordered by miles of
golden beach, flashed onto the screen. An hour’s flight, relaxed and at the
same time full of life. Just the place for an overnight escape.

 
          
‘Can
you organise the jet to fly out for the Gold Coast this afternoon at three?’
Alex asked his assistant. ‘I’ll need a car and driver at the airport and
reservations for a penthouse suite at the casino.’

 
          
‘Nothing
like keeping a low profile,’ Eli muttered.

 
          
Alex
ignored it. ‘Book tickets for the show too.’

 
          
‘And
if it’s booked out?’

 
          
Alex
pasted on a smile. ‘As always, I know you’ll come through.’

 
          
When
Eli saluted his chief and strode out to get plans underway, Alex sat back and
took stock.

 
          
He
shouldn’t be cut at Eli for having his say. That’s what he paid him for and he
only had his and Libby’s best interests at heart. Certainly Libby was a nice
lady who ought to be treated well—protected—particularly after that failed
episode with her ex. But, as he’d told Eli, he wasn’t taking advantage of
Libby. She was an adult who wanted to make the most of what they’d shared while
they could. She wouldn’t be thinking long-term, not when she knew better than
most how his work ate up practically all his time and energy.

 
          
Simply
put, he wasn’t the marrying kind. Eli knew it. All the
world
knew it. After hearing more of his lacklustre childhood
today, surely Libby was smart enough to know it too.

 
          
AS
COMMERCIAL as the Gold Coast had become, Libby had always adored this laidback
yet glitzy part of the world. Many considered the beaches to be the whitest and
finest of any. The restaurants and nightlife were first-rate. Still, when Alex
had invited her to join him on a one-night whirlwind stay at Jupiters Casino at
Broadbeach, initially she’d been reluctant. Even landing at Coolangatta Airport
fifteen minutes earlier, despite her enthusiasm in accepting, she’d still had
her doubts.

 
          
Catching
a sidelong glance at Alex’s classic profile now, sitting alongside him in
another chauffeur-driven limo, Libby’s cheeks toasted remembering the glorious
hours they’d spent together last night. This morning when they’d woken and had
gone to breakfast, she’d felt so comfortable in his company, almost as if they’d
been ‘a couple’ for years. Alex had delved more into his childhood and the
shocking Wolfe family secrets. She’d ended up all the more in awe of what this
man had achieved under such oppressive conditions growing up. She also felt
lucky to know that he trusted her enough to share the information. She trusted
him more now too. Coming away with Alex this weekend felt right. If a photographer
happened to catch them together …

 
          
Her
hands locking in her lap, she focused out the limo window at the beach shacks
intermingled with high-rise resorts flying by.

 
          
She
needed to take one step at a time … even if secretly she’d caught herself daydreaming
about joining Alex on other flights, to Spain, Turkey, Monte Carlo … She
shouldn’t let her imagination roam like that, but they seemed well suited on so
many levels, not least of all in the bedroom. When they were together, she didn’t
think about her deficiencies. She only felt desired and beautiful.

 
          
Of
course she wasn’t anywhere near as refined as the women he usually dated. Not
anywhere near as glamorous. But the way Alex had treated and confided in her,
she was convinced he wasn’t as shallow and mercenary as she’d first thought. In
fact, he was anything but.

 
          
Alex’s
voice broke into her thoughts.

 
          
‘I
did mention the show tonight.’

 
          
Knowing
the production, Libby crooned out a line about still calling Australia home
and, while Alex chuckled, she added, ‘I’ve heard it’s fabulous.’

 
          
‘You
like music?’

 
          
‘Sure.’

 
          
‘Dancing?’

 
          
‘Oh,
I haven’t danced in years.’

 
          
‘We’ll
have to change that.’

 
          
In
all honestly she wouldn’t say that she
couldn’t
dance. Despite her prosthesis she was certain she had the stability and balance
needed. Handling the surf was a different matter. In the ocean your balance was
constantly challenged. When she’d been younger, leaping over the waves had
seemed as natural and fun as eating ice cream. Now she could barely bring herself
to think about finding the courage to venture out again.

 
          
The
limo eased up the casino’s resort-style drive. The massive tiered building had
been visible from the road for some time. With the huge orange sun sinking
rapidly behind the hinterland horizon, banks of lights began to flicker on—iridescent
gold and blue—creating the image of a colossal elaborate staircase, which led
to the complex’s middle floors. The grounds were pristine and subtropical with
masses of palm trees and colourful seasonal flowers in bloom. Libby felt as if
she’d truly arrived in paradise.